Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma, at a media session after attending a function today (May 17):
Reporter: Mr Ma, do you have any further concept about what Mrs Lam (the Chief Executive-elect) thinks about your future after July 1?
Secretary for Development: As I mentioned earlier, I think we'd better leave more room for the CE-elect to arrange for her cabinet, so I have no further comment on this.
Reporter: What is your thought on the latest Murray Road sale? Was that above what you have expected?
Secretary for Development: I think the sale of Murray Road shows the strong demand for Grade A offices in the Central and Admiralty area. I think the most important, from the Government side, is to continue our work on the land sale and land supply in the CBD (Central Business District) area. So, we will continue our work in the rezoning of the Queensway (Plaza), the sale of the Government site at site 3 in Central, and also the work on relocating the Government offices in Wan Chai so as to provide additional supply of Grade A offices.
Reporter: That is a record high price. What does it tell you?
Secretary for Development: I think the most important is that it shows the strong demand on Grade A offices. Despite this year we have a total sale of commercial and industrial land with a total GFA (gross floor area) of over half a million square metres, you can find the market has a strong demand for activities or commercial sites and industrial areas. We will continue our work on this front. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:03
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